ADE 2016: Philip Glass honoured by President Obama with National Medal of the Arts

Philip Glass, who will appear with Laurie Anderson at this year’s ADE on Sunday, October 23rd, is among the 2015 National Medal of Arts honorees.

The medals were presented by President Barack Obama last week in an East Room ceremony at the White House to Glass and fellow nominees including Mel Brooks, Sandra Cisneros, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Morgan Freeman, Berry Gordy, Santiago Jiménez, Jr., Moises Kaufman, Ralph Lemon, Luis Valdez, and Jack Whitten.

"These National Medal of Arts recipients have helped to define our nation's cultural legacy through the artistic excellence of their creative traditions," said NEA Chairman Jane Chu in an official statement. "I join the President in congratulating and thanking them for their contributions."

The National Medal of Arts citations recognise Philip Glass for his groundbreaking contributions to music and composition. “One of the most prolific, inventive, and influential artists of our time, he has expanded musical possibility with his operas, symphonies, film scores, and wide-ranging collaborations,” said the NEA in its official statement about the artists being honoured this year.